Mikel Arteta is hopeful Raheem Sterling will be back “quite soon” as Arsenal look to cope without Bukayo Saka.
Saka tore his hamstring during Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Crystal Palace on December 21 and has since undergone surgery.
Arteta believes the winger will be out for more than two months and it has presented the opportunity for Sterling to make his mark.
The 30-year-old, who joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea in the summer, injured his knee in training the day before Arsenal won at Palace and has not played since.
Arteta has confirmed Sterling is close to a return, though, with Arsenal next in action on New Year’s Day when they head to Brentford.
“He was gutted because he had a good game against Palace here [at Emirates Stadium in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals],” said Arteta.
“He could have scored two goals and made an assist and in the end he got injured in a training session.
“That was his opportunity because naturally he would have played in that position. But knowing Raz, I think he will be back quite soon.”
Arsenal have been hit hard by injuries this season and Saka joins Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the sidelines.
Both players are struggling with knee injuries and White was forced to undergo surgery in November.
Arsenal were also rocked by captain Martin Odegaard injuring his ankle in September while playing for Norway and he was out of action until November.
And asked what his New Year’s resolution is for this Arsenal team, Arteta said: “Keep everybody fit. That’s it.”
A trip to Brentford kicks off a busy January for Arsenal, who are in action in the Carabao Cup, Champions League and FA Cup - as well as the Premier League.
In total, the Gunners will have nine games in 29 days this month and Arteta will have to rotate his squad at times.
“I will watch the game [against Ipswich] back, I will watch the training session like we always do and feel it,” said Arteta.
“We will then think about what is the best team to start, what is the best team to finish the game in relation to other positions as well and individual moments of each player.”
